Trace Changing

[LissaSue]

Hello all,

I have some questions about this trace changing method of editing. I know it's a touchy subject with some, with regards to what works best for editing. I am asking because a writer specifically asked me to use it, and not to start another mini war.

Is it a seperate, downloadable program? Or does it come along with something else? And how would I get my grubby little hands on it?

Thanks for your time,

 

[_Lynn_]

Track changes are part of Microsoft Word. In the 2007 version, click on the review tab and you'll find it right there. Track changes save time, in my opinion. Also, they make the document clean and organized.

I'm guessing that's what you mean, anyway.

 

[LissaSue]

Sigh...Yeah I found it. Took some fooling to figure it out though. Really wish I could go back and delete a thread sometimes; especially when I make myself sound silly! LOL

Thank you very much,

 

[_Lynn_]

Sigh...Yeah I found it. Took some fooling to figure it out though. Really wish I could go back and delete a thread sometimes; especially when I make myself sound silly! LOL

Thank you very much,

Play with the track changes and your editing settings in your Word program until you're comfortable with them. I think you'll like it. If you have any questions as you go, you can always shoot me a PM.

Enjoy.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Lissa, don't knock yourself.

Without asking the question how would have got the advice from Lynn.

A lack of knowledge is a great opportunity to tap the expertise around here. I don't think you made yourself sound silly: quite the reverse.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Really wish I could go back and delete a thread sometimes.

Yeah, me too. But my motivations are different from yours.

I agree with the others, if you're unsure then ask. I still have yet to master Track Changes, and so I avoid it like the plague. Always causes problems for me. I sincerely hope it works out for you. And if questions arise again, then ask, Just not me, lol.

 

[_Lynn_]

Yeah, me too. But my motivations are different from yours.

I agree with the others, if you're unsure then ask. I still have yet to master Track Changes, and so I avoid it like the plague. Always causes problems for me. I sincerely hope it works out for you. And if questions arise again, then ask, Just not me, lol.

Track changes aren't that hard to learn, AS. Open a blank Word document, type a couple sentences, and click the various options related to track changes. When you're done, close out the document.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Track changes aren't that hard to learn, AS. Open a blank Word document, type a couple sentences, and click the various options related to track changes. When you're done, close out the document.

People at work use this. Then I have a document shifted way to the left when I print, and all is tiny due to the space constraints. Don't know how to print docs "without" this annoyance. I really hate this option. Just me apparently.

 

[_Lynn_]

People at work use this. Then I have a document shifted way to the left when I print, and all is tiny due to the space constraints. Don't know how to print docs "without" this annoyance. I really hate this option. Just me apparently.

What does printing a document with track changes have to do with using it for editing?

 

[sr71plt]

People at work use this. Then I have a document shifted way to the left when I print, and all is tiny due to the space constraints. Don't know how to print docs "without" this annoyance. I really hate this option. Just me apparently.

That happens when you use the balloon comment function. And yes, it does that nasty thing with anything you print. I don't use it. I embed my editorial comments between square brackets inside the text. That seems to work just fine.

 

[estragon]

Embedding beats ballooning every time. As a copy editor, I rarely use either method. I just track changes on screen as I go over the text, and send the marked and edited text back to the author for approval; seems to work. I just finished a huge job for SilkStockingsLover. Whatever the formatting problems were, I'm sure we can overcome them.

But I can see that a plot and characterization editor would need a lot more bells and whistles.

 

[sr71plt]

Most of my embedded comments are explain to the author why I've marked a change. There's always hope they will absorb the reasoning and make the change in their future writing.